Former Member of Congress Cashes In on Connections

A former member of Congress is reaping the benefits of his work as a member who focused on transportation industry issues and now does lobbying for transportation interest groups.

Former Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., who served 24 years on Congress, spent the entire time sitting on the House Transportation Committee overseeing railroad, highway, transit and aviation issues. A new investigation by the Better Government Association found that the connections he forged while in Congress, are now proving lucrative for Costello as a lobbyist for transportation businesses and interests.

While in Congress, Costello pushed hard for a $35 billion tanker contract for Boeing, now he is their lobbyist.

In Congress, Costello worked to keep Scott Air Force base open, and now he is being paid to help keep it open from future base closings.

As a member of Congress, Costello secured millions for the Madison County Transit District, and now he works as their Illinois lobbyist at $7,000 a month.

The investigation also highlighted how Costello has continued to use his left over campaign funds to give campaign contributions to members of Congress, totaling $53,100 since he left office.

View the Better Government Association investigation. Read the Chicago Sun-Times article on the investigation.

Since moral standards, customs, and traditions form the basis of our liberty and prosperity, their destruction undermines the civilized culture that has evolved upon them.

YONATAN C

There are still more than 2.6 MILLION unemployed families, still without an EXTENSION of benefits, since LAST DECEMBER. The politicians have continued to play “party politics”, while families are becoming homeless and hopeless. The republicans have been holding the EXTENSION BILL hostage in the senate, for political leverage, and party agenda. Both party’s have deliberately delayed and postponed the vote until it’s become too late to pass the bill. Their total lack of COMPASSION and COMMON DECENCY is appalling . The extension bill was never in their plans to have passed. This entire situation was a farce on their part. With BILLIONS of tax payer dollars sent to the Ukraine in aid recently, NOTHING has been given to help the unemployed families to recover. Both political parties have been a disappointment and a disgrace. Americans need to VOTE OUT these political parasites from office.

About Political MoneyLine

Political MoneyLine is about following money in politics. It's a cash register for givers, receivers and those who want to watch the flow.

Kent Cooper has been uncovering and counting political money since 1972, when new disclosure laws took effect. He was assistant staff director for the Federal Election Commission's disclosure office for 22 years.

Tony Raymond was at the FEC for more than 20 years, analyzing reports and serving as the FEC's first webmaster.

They currently produce the Political MoneyLine website on CQ.com and developed its earlier versions: FECInfo, Public Disclosure Inc., and Tray.com.